July 30, 2009
So You Think You Can Dance Top 6 Power Rankings
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Well here we are. Probably the most important power rankings of the whole season. And on one hand, the most obvious and on the other, the most baffling.
According to John’s SYTYCD top 6 poll the last time I checked, you’ve ranked the contestants thusly: Kayla, Jeanine, Brandon, Ade, Evan and Melissa with each of the pairs being fairly close (i.e. Kayla and Jeanine not too far apart), but with some pretty large gaps between them (i.e., the difference between the K/J pairing and the B/A pairing and…biggest of all, the E/M pairing).
Before last night’s show, I was prepared to count Evan out of the Final 4. Not because that’s my personal choice, but because it really seemed like his fan base was dwindling a bit (does this relate to the absence of Brother Blogs for a few weeks?) while Ade and Brandon were picking up steam.
But. I anticipate a lot of debate, because I have to go with my gut here.
1. Jeanine: As one commenter said, she seems to be in the majority of people’s best guesses for Top 4. Her samba wasn’t her best performance, but she did well and the both of them showed a lot of charm and personality throughout. Her solo wasn’t spectacular or much different than her others, but it was cute. And then there was that great Nappytabs hip hop about getting evicted where she successfully jumped through Ade’s scissoring legs. And then, I really got the feeling that Sonya gave her a lot of “center stage” time in the group piece, she really stood out to me (as did Cat and Nigel’s comments about her costume, after). I think she’s the best combo of skill and personality this season, so she’s my pick to win and my first guess for the Top 4.
2. Kayla: She’s started to show a lot more personality, slowly but surely and she’s always been pretty precise. Some people don’t dig her, but a lot of people do. Her Stacey Tookey contemporary with Brandon really impressed me and I thought these two “cold” dancers actually brought out a lot in each other. Her solo was nothing new and a bit boring, but it was a’right. I didn’t love the disco as much, but then I never do. Sorry, y’all. 
This one almost one me over in the first half, but then got really awkward at the end, where it seemed like most of the time they were pausing to set up jumps and lifts and not actually dancing. My mom and I debate heartily over disco.
So these are the two I feel fairly confident about. Let me talk about the girl I think is going home:
-Melissa: Beginning with her Broadway with Evan and through her solo, I was digging Melissa a bit more than I had before, wondering if I’d given her a raw deal. And then there came the quickstep OF DOOM! DOOM! DOOM! (Sorry, there’s an echo in here). I was actually pretty happy with their performance. But you know what? Melissa LOST me when she seemed to be throwing Evan under the bus. She admitted in the intro video that she doesn’t trust him and she didn’t say this in a way that indicated it was something *she* needed to improve on. And has anybody noticed she seems to roll her eyes a lot – check out the intro video for the girls’ routine if you don’t believe me. She’s had a good run on the show, but now I’m ready for her to go.
The top 2 boys are a really tough call. Really, really tough. And no matter what I say, there’s going to be some heated disagreement (which I’m excited to see, bring it on!), so I’m going with my gut here.
1. Evan: I think he didn’t just “stay visible” as Lil C said. I couldn’t stop watching him! I agree with Nigel that he stood out for me in Sonya’s group number. His Broadway was fun and strong. I honestly felt like he probably spent a lot of energy helping Melissa shine in the piece. While he didn’t switch up his solo either, I loved the enormous flip across the stage that he did. And, he’s “dancing bigger,” all the time. I love the commenter who pointed out that Brandon’s not much taller than Evan, who’s been getting all the “short guy” heat. Clearly, Evan isn’t as muscular as Brandon, so perhaps that has something to do with it. When I heard that Melissa and Evan had the dreaded quickstep OF DOOM! DOOM! DOOM! (dern echo!), I was very, very, very worried. But they did a good job and it was enjoyable. All in all, I feel like Evan had a strong night in both his dancing and his personality. With Ryan rallying with a new, great Brother Blog and then certain other issues with the other contestants…I think we might find Evan in the finale. I just love watching him dance, so how can I not predict that? It IS America’s Favorite Dancer and I think a lot of people just really enjoy Evan, as I do.
2. Ade: His work in the group number was solid. He wasn’t as strong as he could have been on his second Latin dance this season, but even so, I enjoyed him and Jeanine in their samba. He’s been picking up steam all season. Again, his solo wasn’t terribly new (to him), but it showed us his style. And then that Nappytabs hip hop with Jeanine, which was just pure pleasure to watch. Probably the stand out routine of the night (the group routines and the Tookey contemporary are the only other standouts to me). He’s become such a front runner for me over the course of the season, from someone I never really paid any attention to, to somebody I’d love to see dance whenever I get the chance.
-Brandon: He’s picked up some steam in the last few weeks, so I may be really wrong about him going home this week. However, while I tend to enjoy his dancing, he seems really cocky and arrogant to me and I just don’t like it. One of the commenters pointed out that he doesn’t seem to be really generous to his partners (though I think he sensed a bond with Kayla, so maybe it was different with her), and that really nailed it for me, that ambiguous thing that wasn’t working for me about Brandon. I lost a lot of liking for him in between Vegas week (with Natalie, it has to be said) and Top 20, it almost seemed like he shut down his personality a bit. Then, there’s the fact that the judges stood for his solo, Nigel called it the best on the show, but *no one* was fooled that it was his audition routine all over again. It’s a pretty awesome routine and of course, with the music and the little to no clothing, he pulled out all the stops to demonstrate he wants to be in the Final 4. But when it comes down to it, I don’t think his messy disco and his fabulous contemporary and all of this calculated arrogance-humility is going to be enough. I may be completely wrong here, but this is what my gut says.
I think a Jeanine, Kayla, Evan, Ade finale will be pretty fascinating to watch and I’d be sorry if any of them left.
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22 responses to "So You Think You Can Dance Top 6 Power Rankings"
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I hope you’re right, but I’m afraid you’re probably going to be wrong. Like you said, it seems simple, but yet is baffling to consider what could happen instead.
“he seems really cocky and arrogant to me and I just don’t like it” – You nailed the exact reason Brandon rubs me the wrong way. He’s good and he knows it…the Kobe Bryant of this season, if you will. I hope he goes home.
I had forgotten about what Melissa had said about Evan. It bugged me when she said it/demonstrated it, but now it bugs me again. Perhaps it was taken the wrong way, but you don’t say bad things about your partner. You’re to be their biggest supporter.
I agree that Jeanine is the girl with it all. She might not be the best skill-wise, but she’s close. And she’s always fun, on and off the stage. She’s not bad to look at either, so that certainly helps, too. I think I want her to win, but we’ll see.
My other favorite is Evan. He knows he’s not the best dancer on the show, but he tries hard, take critique well, and always looks like he’s having the time of the life. He’s adorable, too. He’s got everything I’d want in an entertainer, and he definitely held his own in the all-guys piece, which is impressive when he was with 2 hard-hitting contemporaries doing a hard-hitting contemporary piece.
It’s your blog and you can say what you want to, but I predicted before I ever read it that you would find bad things to say about Brandon even though he absolutely owned last night’s show. Not only that, but he was the only SYTYCD contestant this year to become a trending topic on Twitter – perhaps the only SYTYCD contestant to ever trend.
It angers me every time you question the personality of this really nice person. Maybe if Brandon had taken acting lessons along with dance lessons, you’d like him better. The simple truth is that he’s totally uncomfortable in front of the camera unless he’s dancing. He’s not a speaker or actor, he’s a dancer. What you’re seeing isn’t arrogance, its a touch of shyness. In real life, Brandon’s sort of a quiet gentle giant – always willing to help younger dancers – and they absolutely adore him. To sum up, Brandon is a really nice person who happens to be an amazing dancer even though he doesn’t have a cutsey or witty way with words.
We had a friend of Melissa “out” herself on the site recently and I personally made a friend who’s close with a reality contestant and I have to say – it’s a hard road to trek, being family or friends of reality contestants (or contestants themselves). I think I’d want to never read anything written about my friend, family member, etc. because it’s all really tough. Some of it is pretty ugly. I’d like to think that we avoid anything disrespectful here on this site.
If you’re a friend of Brandon, you must know that I have no personal experience with him, so nothing I say could possibly be about him as the private person. It’s about his t.v. persona. Unfortunately, he’s on t.v. and how he appears to t.v. viewers really depends on a lot of things that have nothing to do with dance.
I can appreciate that. I’m also, myself, a formerly shy person who’s had to force myself out of my shell. Brandon strikes me that way a lot of the time, as a person who’s struggled with confidence and perhaps comes off cocky because he’s overcompensating. I’m sure he’s a perfectly lovely person.
However, his t.v. persona has not appealed to me as much as some of the other contestants. The same is true of Melissa.
And to be honest – this sometimes includes when he’s actually dancing. He doesn’t seem to connect to his partners as much as others do, in my opinion.
Keep trekking the hard road – they need the support of folks who love them. Good luck to your friends, family and favorite contestants.
Yes, it is very difficult to read bad reviews of the personality of someone you know for a fact is generous and nice. Thanks for understanding that, Emilie.
I completely agree with you, Emilie, with what you said about the girls… But I personally think that Ade should be the guy going home – not Brandon. I’ve never really been rubbed wrong with Brandon and feel that when he’s dancing, he has that light and excitement about him that demonstrates his love of dancing. Ade, on the other hand, has been forgettable for me the entire show. Yes, he’s an excellent dancer. I don’t think anyone questions the dancing abilities of those who are even in the top 20 of this show. I just haven’t seen much of Ade’s personality and feel like he’s a strong partner, but not much else.
It certainly will be interesting to see what happens!
don’t get the dissing of Brandon?? all through HS I myself was considered snobbish when in fact I am VERY insecure. Brandon is a MUCH better dancer than Evan. Evan may be? cute but does not have what it takes to be a professional except for broadway. Ade is good and didn’t get the respect he deserves but Evan gets toooooooo much. Notice all of his partners have been sent home??
Kimberly, I completely agree about Brandon. I’ve never been rubbed the wrong way by his personality either and I have always felt that he connects well with his partners. As much as I love watching Evan, I wouldn’t mind seeing him go home tonight and I haven’t connected with Ade on a personal level at all, although he is a strong partner. I’ll be upset if Brandon goes but either of the other two guys can leave.
I also think it’s funny how Melissa has a big open-mouthed grin on her face when she gets good critiques, but when she is criticized, she still smiles but her lips are closed and she looks like she’s going to murder the offending judge right after the show. I think Melissa is a gimme but don’t know about the boys. That last brother blog might have pushed Evan to the top…and I’m really just not feeling Ade right now. Whereas before his understated personality was charming, now I just find him boring. People like him but don’t choose him as their favorite
Ronnica I agree with you about evan, thanks for putting that into words because i just couldn’t put my finger on it. He does try so hard and I appreciate that. When I watch his solos, I just smile- something that doesn’t happen often.
I also agree with whoever said Ade has fallen to the background every single time. He is so technically strong and seems like a really nice guy, but I think it’s his time to go.
It is my hope, after the top 8 disappointments, that Jeanine will win. She is a strong dancer, always finds a connection, and is completely charming. I’m crossing my fingers!
In Jeanine’s Samba, all I kept think was that she gave way to much the audience. And she kept pursing her lips. Then in her solo she went a little PG-13 which I thought was pushing it for her. But when she answer the question on what it would mean to her to be in the top 4, I thought she gave the best answer, talking about how she auditioned on a whim and made it so far.
Then did anyone notice that in the girls routine, they all got a little moment to shine on their own- BUT Melissa? She never got two second to get apart for the others and show off something. But Kayla and Jeanine did.
With the boys, Sonya made sure they all got a bit to show off, Brandon did a back flip at one point Evan was carried a lot and Ade did some spins. But Melissa never even got to go to the head of the triangle, that was a little low for Sonya, to not share the light equally among them.
Kayla did the same solo, nothing new, but that contemporary was amazing and the disco, so so.
Melissa I loved her in the Broadway, I just got mad at the chair. Tyce should have used it more, it look weird dancing on it for 3 eight counts and then never touching it again. Then the quick step was…quick and lets face it no one likes a quick step.
Ade lost his sparkle for me. :[ I did not like the hip hop, felt to fake, like….not real, hens fake, lol. And the Samba I do not even remember. But him in the group was great. He was the only one to not fumble in the back flip.
Evan amazed me, I love him. Simple as that. He always pushes, and then his solo was….I told my mother 15 seconds in “He is soooo cute!!” The dimples and they way his facial expression never stay the same.
Brandon, did the same solo….and it was said earlier, that John does not re-watch, re-do, re-read things, so why re-dance? Yea, little lame and low. And wearing the dancer shorts to show off…to get all the girls. And some boys. But then how he siad if he was in the top 4 it would mean a lot cause he has no confidence is to me, bull-honky. It is feeling more and more like he was a bribe to make it this far.
The show is starting to disappoint me.
Season 6 better be better.
You articulated my thoughts on Brandon perfectly. I was trying to explain it to my boyfriend last night, but I just couldn’t find the words to explain why I just don’t get Brandon. He is so obviously talented, but there is just something about him that rubs me the wrong way. Thank you for finding the words I couldn’t!
I adore all the girls. I will be really sad to see any of them go. I know someone does have to go tonight, but no matter who it is, I am going to miss them!
Here’s my thought on Brandon I don’t find him arrogant at all compared to others that come of as arrogant in past seasons, Like Blake and Danny. He seemed surprised by the judges reaction to his solo last night. He is my top guy after last night. Evan is the second top guy he stepped up his game last night.
I really loved Ade, and I agree with you on Brandon. Mia Michaels was right when she called him conceited at the beginning of the season. He’s good, of course, but when he said he had “low self esteem” I practically laughed out loud!
I really wanted Ade to win, he was my favorite, but now I’m rooting for Jeanine, just because something about Kayla bothers me, and Evan is the weakest for me.
Brandon’s record as a great partner still stands – no girl has gone home on the week she danced with Brandon.
For those of you who say you don’t “get” Brandon: It’s real simple. He REALLY IS uncomfortable in front of the camera except when he’s dancing. Brandon is a dancer, not an actor or a speaker and what you think is arrogance is actually shyness. Brandon is a very nice young man – not conceited at all – and at the school where he trained everyone adores him.
For the record, I’d just like to say that I don’t think Melissa “threw Evan under the bus” when she admitted she didn’t trust him as a partner. It probably wasn’t the most politically astute thing to say, but I think they’re encouraged to talk about the challenges to the dance during those little interviews, and not trusting your partner is a valid challenge they need to overcome. AND I don’t think it’s an odd thing to feel, either. She’s bigger than him, plus they were doing a crappy dance style that probably made both of them feel nervous. Besides, it takes time to build trust. All of that said, she can’t be “throwing him under the bus” because she isn’t yet competing against him. That phrase only works when you sabotage someone else to save yourself, and I really don’t think she was doing that. She was just being brutally honest. Not necessarily smart, but don’t read more into it than you have to.
I recently was at the taping of the elimination week that gave us the Top 4. I had a moment after the show to meet all 6 dancers and they were all lovely. Very warm and talented and kind and amazingly gifted dancers. I am thrilled for all 6. I am just so thrilled that so many American’s are finding dance to be so exciting and are throwing their support behind this amazing art form.
Now, we go to the finale and pick America’s Favorite Dancer here are some things to consider:
1. Which dancer attempts each style with enthusiasm and confidence?
2. Which dancer is willing to take critiques and works to improve each week?
3. Which dancer is working outside of their “strength” in a way that demonstrates skill and style?
4. Which dancer is a true performer?
5. Which dancer is having fun and is someone that you think should be crowned America’s Favorite Dancer?
What we need to stop considering is:
1. Height
2. Body shape
3. Beauty? Cuteness? Attractiveness?….who cares!
4. Hair (or lack there of)
5. Music choices
6. Favorite choreographed pieces (the dancers have no choice in who they work with, what style they get or what choreograhper they get)
7. What they are wearing (again they have no choice in the costumes they wear)
8. Random observation on their preceived personality traits—especially if you have never met them.
9. What Lil C or any other judge says about them
10. Superficial stuff that has no impact on their dancing whatsoever!
So who gets your vote? I know who gets mine…
EVAN!!! He always nods when the judges critique him! And he never gives up. EVANN FOR THE WIN!! He is different! the only Broadway among 3 contemporary dancers.
John Warren,
Interesting list to ponder. I think I might republish it as a post to drum up some what I believe will be really interesting conversation.
However, I’m sorry to say, but the way a dancer looks is totally part of being America’s Favorite dancer. The beauty of dance is portrayed in their body. Not hating on Mia, but her doing her own choreography would be brutal to watch. The way the dancer looks is a huge part of being America’s Favorite Dancer.
That said, some of the other stuff you listed is correct. Like the great or poor choreography they received. I’m on bored there.
John Warren,
Great list! I would like to add two more of my own personal “musts” to picking my favorite dancer:
1) Whose dancing causes that place deep in my soul to stir with emotion?
2) And, quite simply, who makes me smile whenever I see him/her dance?
And John, I am going to have to risk being thrown to the back of your caboose
for respectfully disagreeing with you a bit. Or perhaps I’m just disagreeing with the way you said it…. Anyway, I think as long as a dancer’s looks/weight/hair/lack of hair/height/lack of height still allows them to make beautiful lines, be athletic, and do all the things that dancing demands and does not detract from that, it really shouldn’t matter. Of course, the large percentage of the population is going to have some issue that will detract from them being great dancers. But we’re talking about people who made the show, here — the creme de la creme. In that case, the slight perceived “deficits”, as long as it doesn’t detract from their dancing and performance, shouldn’t matter.
For example, I would have like to see more of what Max could have done, but I’m afraid his shyer personality, receding hairline, and older looks did him in early.
[...] just read a really insightful comment by John Warren discussing what he believed to be the qualities that America’s Favorite Dancer (ie. the [...]
So glad to read all y’all’s comments.
John Warren: You have a great list of qualities there and gave us all lots to think about. Very well said. I do always try to make it a point never to critique someone for their looks/body if it doesn’t have anything to do with a point about their routines or dancing. But, as John pointed out, their bodies are their tools, so sometimes their height (or lack of it) is a valid issue. I’m the first to admit that Evan’s height is a serious potential handicap, especially when he’s dancing with someone of Kayla’s height, for instance. But some dancers just tend to transport us more than others and of course, that’s utterly subjective.
I was really sorry to see Ade go and I’m glad Evan’s in the finale. But that doesn’t mean that I’m not excited to see what Brandon will bring to the show next week. I’m really glad both Jeanine and Kayla made it through, but I am happy to say that Melissa had a lot of routines I enjoyed.
It always gets hard at this point in the show. And I loved that the Nigel pointed out that Chelsie and Mark left at this point in their season, after we got to see how brilliantly they danced. We love them, and they have careers. Truly, there are no losers, just people who get more air time, more routines.